Metallurgy, basic alloy steel

The basic corrosion behaviour of stainless steels is dependent upon the type and quantity of alloying. Chromium is the universally present element but nickel, molybdenum, copper, nitrogen, vanadium, tungsten, titanium and niobium are also used for a variety of reasons. However, all elements can affect metallurgy, and thus mechanical and physical properties, so sometimes desirable corrosion resisting aspects may involve acceptance of less than ideal mechanical properties and vice versa. 

Silicon s atomic structure makes it an extremely important semiconductor. Highly purified silicon, doped with such elements as boron, phosphorus, and arsenic, is the basic material used in computer chips, transistors, sUicon diodes, and various other electronic circuits and electrical-current switching devices. Silicon of lesser purity is used in metallurgy as a reducing agent and as an alloying element in steel, brass, and bronze. 

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